Galen Harkness • February 12, 2024

3 Benefits of Mastering Essential Basketball Skills

Here are 3 benefits, 2 tips, and 1 quote to help players play better.

1. Moving Without the Basketball

   - Enhances team dynamics and offensive flow.

   - Creates scoring opportunities through smart positioning and exploiting defensive gaps.


2. Playing Off Two Feet

   - Increases balance and control, enabling more powerful and precise shots.

   - Improves decision-making by giving you an extra moment to pass, shoot, or dribble effectively.


3.1. Moving Without the Basketball

  - Enhances team dynamics and offensive flow.

  - Creates scoring opportunities through smart positioning and exploiting defensive gaps.


2. Playing Off Two Feet

  - Increases balance and control, enabling more powerful and precise shots.

  - Improves decision-making by giving you an extra moment to pass, shoot, or dribble effectively.


3. Flexibility and All-Round Skills

- Makes you more flexible and useful on the court, helping you beat defenders and fit in with any team play.

- Ups your game value and makes it harder for the other team to stop you.


2 Teaching Points


1. For Moving Without the Basketball:

  - Constant Motion: Always keep moving to distract defenders and open passing lanes. Use cuts, screens, and quick changes of direction.

  - Spatial Awareness: Understand the court's space. Position yourself where you can be a threat without the ball and be ready to receive a pass.


2. For Playing Off Two Feet:

  - Practice Jump Stops: Incorporate jump stops into your drills to enhance balance. This move allows you to pivot and face the basket for various play options.

  - Shot Fakes & Pass Fakes: Use these fakes to your advantage. They can create space and make your decision-making process more straightforward when playing off two feet.


1 Inspirational Quote


Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." Tim Notke


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Keep pushing, keep playing, and let every practice take you one step closer to your dreams. Remember, the game is as much about the mind as it is about the body. Play smart, work hard, and dream big!


🏀 Stay motivated and elevate your game! 🏀


How to Impact the Game—No Matter Your Size

How to Impact the Game—No Matter Your Size

By Galen Harkness • April 30, 2025
Every player wants to make an impact. Score. Steal. Pass. Rebound. Make plays. Help your team. That's the fun of the game. But what if you're not the biggest or the tallest player on the court? Don’t let size hold you back. What matters more is your effort, mindset, and willingness to work. Here are 5 ways smaller players can consistently impact the game: 1. Run the Floor Sprint hard every time. Even if you don’t get the ball, you put pressure on the defense —and open up opportunities for your team. 2. Cut with Purpose Move without the ball. Defenders relax when you stand still. Cut hard, look for gaps, and make plays from movement. 3. Push the Pace When you get the ball, go. Put pressure on the defense before they’re set. Play fast. Make good decisions. 4. Get Paint Touches Attack the paint. Great things happen when you get inside—draw defenders, finish strong, or kick out to teammates. The paint changes the game. 5. Hustle Plays Win Games Dive for the loose ball. Battle for rebounds. Take charges. Be feisty, relentless, and tough to play against. What Separates Players? Mindset. Do you believe you belong? Do you believe you can make a difference? Keep showing up. Keep working hard. Keep finding ways to impact the game. Your size doesn’t define your value. Your effort and mindset do. https://www.loom.com/share/0c0113c8b25c422ba7e10803b818d6b0?sid=ccecfb29-bc1a-4dc1-ac51-a0ba204e3d18 The video below is of TJ McConnell of the Indiana Pacers. The average height in the NBA is 6'7". TJ is 6'1" and has a MASSIVE impact on the game. He does all the things listed above and more.
A black and white photo of a person 's hand holding a basketball.

He hit 8 threes in one game—here’s how it happened

By Galen Harkness • March 30, 2025
Last night, one of our EYG players hit eight threes in a single game. Not because he got hot. Because he made the decision to shoot— And had the confidence to let it fly. That confidence came from 7 months of consistent training: 4 workouts per week 2 full seasons of 5-on-5 play Mostly group training, with a few private sessions He had a goal. He showed up. He did the work, even on the hard days. And when the moment came, he was ready. This isn’t the end of his journey. It’s just a stepping stone. If you know a player with a goal—someone ready to work— EYG is here when they are. Let’s keep growing. Keep working. Keep dreaming. Keep elevating your game.

How to Make Everyone Around You Better on the Court

By Galen Harkness • March 18, 2025
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